Received a Phone Call from the Consular Section of the US Embassy in Colombia

[kennym 275]

Today. while having lunch with a Co-Worker on a business trip in BC, Canada, I recieved a phone call.. I notice the number came from a "202" area code.. I was thinking, Washington DC? who do I know in DC?

I answered and a mans voice said, "hello, I am calling from the Consular section of the US Embassy in Bogota, Colombia"...

I was sitting in a tall chair at the resturaunt and about fell over..

A little history...

My wife was the beneficiary of a K1 visa late last year (see timeline).. she arrived, in Dec 2010, we were married later that month, we've AOS'd and she is now a US Resident..

At the time of the visa application in Oct 2010, My wifes daughter was put on the DS156 as "will follow".. In June, of this year, I sent an email to the Embassy to ask about the next steps to complete the Visa for the K-2 of my Wife's daughter.. They simply replied, "You will be scheduled for an appointment".. (I hadn't requested the appointment, I was only asking about the next steps, what forms, etc)

I immediately replied and told them We were not requesting the appointment, simply looking for information.. they replied, "they would schedule the appointment when we notified them"

Unknown to us, the Embassy Scheduled the Appointment on August 1st.. I found out about the "august date" because I had sent the Contents of P3, by email on July 27th letting them know we were ready.. I panicked since, there was no way to get my wife to Colombia ontime for the Appointment and get all the documents printed and the Exams etc, I sent them an email immediately saying, "wait, there's no way we can make it.. And we hadn't sent them the Packet 3 to schedule the appointment".. They replied to my email and said there is no problem with missing the appointment, and that there were no negative concequences of not making the appointment..

After all that, I was very concerned that the next appointment would place on beyond the "one year" point from the mothers visa... I asked the Embassy, they told me that would not be a problem.. SInce then, I have been sending several emails each week explaining that I was concerned and would like to know if our appointment was scheduled..

That brings us to today.. The gentleman from the Embassy, was extremely friendly and told me he had noticed my emails and wanted to call me to discuss my situation and get some clarification. After going through the history with him, he told to make the appointment for the Medical and email him directly of the Appointment date.. He would make a special appointment for us to come to the embassy, he would make the appointment to coincide with the date of the Medical..

I was shocked and thrilled of the attention that my case was given.. I wouldn't have ever beleived that I would get a call from them, but thus has completely restored my faith on the system... He sent me a email confirming the details of the call later in the day..

I am soo happy to hear from them that I have been literally shaking all day.. It was such a relief, because even though I had an email from them saying that the "1 year rule" wouldn't be enforced, I had some doubts and was very worried that things would go teribly wrong with my wifes' daughter's visa..

All I can say, is "Thank God"!!!..

Kenny

[felo391971 4]

my friend that was just great good luck

[kennym 275]

my friend that was just great good luck

Yes it was, still in shock...

[Julie y Pat 67]

So much of this process is "don't call us, we'll call you." Only thing is you never really expect them to call. It's nice to hear that they sometimes do.

[kennym 275]

So much of this process is "don't call us, we'll call you." Only thing is you never really expect them to call. It's nice to hear that they sometimes do.

Yes, can you imagine?? I noticed in his email he's the IV Unit Chief.. I still am having trouble absorbing all this but, it was very cool..

Edited August 31, 2011 by kennym

[TBoneTX 44,674]

he's the IV Unit Chief.. I still am having trouble absorbing all this but, it was very cool..

This is amazing, Amigo, si man. The Section or Unit Chiefs are the ones who have the knowledge and power to make things happen. Either someone referred your mails to him, or he found them himself (= good management).

Something tells me that you'll be treated very properly, if not well. Would that a neighboring country's IV unit were so proficient, sigh man.

[kennym 275]

Yea, it seems that is the case.. Talking to the guy today by phone, he is new to this embassy, and he was talking about his plans to improve some of the less-than-efficient processes..

Let's hope he can get me the interview date.. I sent him the Medical Exam dates and called him later in the day to confirm he had recieved it..

He had received it and was trying to get some answers from his staff on how to get me the interview letter and so forth..

[TBoneTX 44,674]

he is new to this embassy, and he was talking about his plans to improve some of the less-than-efficient processes.

Lucky you, si man! This serves as an example to everyone about how policies and practices can change at an embassy, without warning -- for the better in your instance, obviously.

[kali1229 6]

I'm impressed. I hope more people like him come along to help those that truly need it.

[kennym 275]

I'm impressed. I hope more people like him come along to help those that truly need it.

Hello Kali, it was a pure blessing, no other word for it...

It would be so cool if there were more people like this guy running things.. He truly seems like he's motiviated..

I did finally hear back, and was given an interview date of Sep 14th.. Thankfully, my wife was already in Medellin and is getting things ready on her end, and will fly to Bogota next week for the Medical.. I Overnighted the Documents to her that she'll need for the interview...

[kali1229 6]

So exciting! I'm truly happy for you